“You never know how much difference a simple journey can make.”

Community Transport Week: 13–17 October

This week we’re celebrating the volunteers who keep our community moving. Community transport isn’t just about getting from place to place — it’s about connection, support, and making a real difference in people’s lives. We spoke to Lauren, one of our dedicated Volunteer Drivers, about what inspired her to get involved and why she believes this service is such a lifeline.

What inspired you to become a Volunteer Driver, and what keeps you motivated to give your time?

I’d been searching for a while to find something to volunteer for - I had some spare time and wanted to do something helpful with it. But nothing really stood out until I read about the community transport service and thought “I can do that! I enjoy driving and it sounds like a great way to give something back to the community” 

I’m so glad I took the plunge and volunteered. The team are amazingly supportive and look after their volunteers really well. It’s just a pleasure to drive people to and from their destinations, knowing that you’re helping, even if it’s in a small way. I really enjoy the social aspect of meeting such a variety of people - you never know what you’re going to end up talking about and every trip is different!

Can you share a memorable moment or story from your journeys that shows the impact community transport has on people’s lives?

I recently took a gentleman on a 60 mile round trip for some medical treatment. Using patient transport wasn’t an option for him because of his condition and using a private hire car would have cost him 4 times as much as community transport and that wasn’t an affordable option. Without access to the community transport service, he wouldn’t have been able to receive his treatment and was incredibly relieved when he discovered its existence. I also recently took a lady to a medical appointment, and she said that she was a bit worried over what she was going to be told. I could see she was getting nervous as we arrived and I offered to wait with her so she had some company. She was very happy to accept, and we had a chat whilst we waited, just to help her with any anxiety. Everything turned out fine and she mentioned how nice it was not to have to wait and worry on her own. Sometimes just providing a bit of unexpected company can have an impact.

Why do you think community transport is so important, especially for those who might otherwise struggle to get out and about?

It’s a volunteer service, so there’s no rush to get to the next journey. We’re on hand to help people get to and from the car and their actual appointment if needed. With the team in the office, specific requirements can be discussed in advance so the volunteer driver is aware of any assistance that might be required for a more personalised, door to door service. 

Stories like Lauren’s remind us that community transport is about so much more than just a journey — it’s about independence, kindness, and human connection. Volunteer drivers make a real difference every day, whether by helping someone reach essential treatment, or simply offering a friendly face along the way.

If Lauren’s story has inspired you, why not see if there’s a role for you too? 👉 Find your perfect driver opportunity in Hertfordshire here: https://www.govolherts.org.uk/volunteer/all/opportunities?search_radius=8&q=driver